Forum rules
While the rules in this forum are more relaxed than in other parts of the Expat site, there are still a few things we’d like you to remember: No name calling, no insults – be civil to each other!

Last week returning to Peru on a late flight, I had an incident at Migrations.I had been talking with another expat & he and I were the last few to get our passport stamped.I handed the person mine & she didn't immediately stamp it; she asked if I had ever lost my passport, I replied "No". She had a confused look on her face.After what seemed like 30 minutes, she said there is a problem & I must go wait in the office of Migrations until the police could arrive (they are actually right next door). I reluctantly did what I was told, but I had no issues with my passport.I asked the woman at the desk "What is going on?"; she told me only the police could access my file - so I waited,When the officer arrived, he told me to follow him next door; he seemed to access my file on the computer. All the time I was asking "What is the problem?"Finally, he wrote something on a sheet of paper & told me to "Vamos!"I still wanted an explanation, but the "Vamos" became more pronounced.I talked to an upper-level employee at Migrations & was told they were trying to get money as a bribe to let me go. Very scary!Has this happened to anyone else?

I have no idea why the police would be involved?The officer who interviewed me had a suit coat & a badge; I didn't get his name.He was referred to as "policia", so must have been police.Any help locating the Google website would be appreciated.I am still very upset; they did a great job of intimidation, but I had done nothing wrong.Would the US Embassy get involved if they had placed me in jail?

The same sort of thing happened to me a long time ago on both the Ecuadorean and Bolivian borders. This sort of thing used to happen a lot on land borders (may still do for all I know) but I never heard of it before at the airport.

Everyone I have personally talked to - agree.It must have been a scam to extort money from me.Why would I be forced to stay in a room to await the police over a passport issue?After quite a bit of time, I was allowed to leave w/o any penalties, etc.Of course, the police never explained the situation or game me any paperwork.This incident didn't surprise our friend at Migrations headquarters.He did say I should have told them my attorney would be involved.Be careful...

I had a similar experience but in Magdalena district. I had to pay the officer to let me go as I was with Peruvian friends and I didn't wanted to ruin their night. I still feel bad for paying those bastards.